Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Great Holiday News

Hello everyone! I hope you had a great Thanksgiving and are enjoying the hustle and bustle of the holidays! Can you believe there is only 19 days until Christmas? Eek! :)

I wanted to write a quick note to fill you in on some GREAT news! The last time I wrote, we had just had a visit at Dana Farber with both the Urologist and Scotty's Oncologist, and were under the understanding that Scotty would be having major surgery to remove the "residual disease" and expected the surgery to take place between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Well, right before Thanksgiving, Scotty got a call from his Oncologist, Dr. Pomerantz, letting him know that he will not be having the surgery after all!

Scotty is such a unique case that it took a lot of discussion as to what was best for him, and eventually a meeting was set up, to solely discuss him and his situation. Dr. Pomerantz was away in St. Louis, but he took the time to Skype with the Urology and Oncology teams, and after much discussion, everyone agreed that because of how amazingly strong he is, how he handled the chemo and his perfect blood markers, that it is best to closely monitor him for the next year and hold off on the surgery. Dr. Pomerantz strongly feels that what is showing up in the scans is scar tissue, and he doesn't want to put Scott through major surgery when the chances of it being scar tissue is so high. This is wonderful news, although the next year will be a little nerve wracking, but we have faith that everything is working out the way it is supposed to. He was told that he will need to go back this month and get his tumor makers checked and rescanned, and he will have to do this four times over the next year. God-willing, everything will remain the same and we will have solid proof that he is in fact, CANCER FREE!

I know I've said it before, but I will say it again... you have all been AMAZING! Each and every card and message of support and love still hangs on our bedroom walls, and I don't think I'm ready to take them down just yet. We actually just discussed leaving them up for the next year, as a constant reminder of all the love surrounding us and what he has achieved so far. Sometimes thinking back over the last 6-7 months is overwhelming and I find myself in tears thinking about what he went through, and I know he has his moments too, but we are so grateful to be where we are today, blessed with the strength and love to get through anything. And the most amazing support system we could ask for! (All of you!)

Of course, even with the good news, there is still that uncomfortable feeling of not knowing what could happen in the next year, but we will take each day as it comes and be thankful for our health, and hope that Scott will be an inspiration for you all to do the same. We never know what is going to happen tomorrow, next month, next year... but all we can do is live for each moment like it's our last, and be grateful for all that we have. Please keep Scotty in your prayers and thoughts, that each test will show great results and that the worst is over. As the year goes on and we have any results/news, I will definitely keep you all updated through this blog.

We wish you all the happiest of holidays and the reminder that life is precious so live each moment to the fullest, and let love guide you all. If you ever need a reminder of this, get in touch with Scotty or myself... and we'll be there for you, just as you all have been there for us. We will never forget, or take for granted, the support and love that was bestowed upon us during the most challenging time of our lives. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!